Genesis 18:17-19
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This question isn't a request for permission, but a rhetorical statement of intent, revealing God's deep desire to include Abraham, His friend, in His plans. It highlights that God values relationship so much He initiates sharing even severe judgments with those He's close to.
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord has just appeared to Abraham and promised him a son, Sarah has laughed in disbelief, and now two of the visitors are heading towards Sodom. The Lord, who has remained with Abraham, expresses a desire to inform his friend about the impending judgment on Sodom before it happens. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's passionate intercession for the wicked city, highlighting the special relationship God shares with those who fear Him.
Why would God ask himself a question? It turns out this isn't about uncertainty, but about demonstrating the depth of His relationship with Abraham.
The Lord's question, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?' is a rhetorical device. It's God's way of saying, 'Absolutely not!' God doesn't keep His plans secret from those who are in a close relationship with Him.
Abraham's Unique Position
Abraham wasn't just some random person; he was called God's 'friend' (Isaiah 41:8). This wasn't a casual acquaintance, but a deep, covenantal relationship. Because of Abraham's faithfulness and his commitment to honoring the Lord, God was willing to share His impending judgment on Sodom with him. This is a powerful illustration of how intimacy with God brings insight.
The Principle of Revelation
Throughout Scripture, we see a pattern: those who fear and obey God are brought into His confidence. Amos 3:7 famously states, 'Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.' While we may not all be prophets, the principle remains – a life lived in close communion with God opens our eyes to His ways and purposes.
What qualifies Abraham to be 'in the loop' about God's plans? It's not just about being chosen, but about a life lived in a certain way.
God's decision to share His plans with Abraham isn't arbitrary. It's deeply rooted in Abraham's character and his legacy.
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A Legacy of Faithfulness
Genesis 18:19 lays out the specific reasons: 'For I have chosen him, that he may command his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment.' God knew Abraham would raise his children to follow Him, to live righteously, and to uphold justice. This wasn't just about Abraham's personal faith, but his commitment to passing that faith on.
More Than Just Obedience
This wasn't merely about Abraham obeying a set of rules. It was about his dedication to a way of life – the way of the Lord, characterized by justice and righteousness. God trusts those who not only believe but also actively live out and teach His ways. This makes them reliable stewards of even the most sensitive divine information.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A common title for the divine being, representing the personal name of the God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and absolute authority over creation.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
A term describing moral behavior that conforms to God's standard of holiness and character. It involves living in a way that is upright and correct in the eyes of God.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The administration of equity and moral order, often referring to acting in accordance with God's law to protect the vulnerable and maintain integrity in relationships.
God's decision to reveal His plan to Abraham highlights their intimate friendship and Abraham's role as a spiritual patriarch, tasked with passing on God's ways.
c. 2100 BC
Abraham settles in Canaan
After migrating from Ur and Haran, Abraham establishes his household in the land of Canaan, signifying a pivotal moment in his life and the unfolding of God's covenant promises.
c. 2099 BC
God promises Abraham a son
In a divine encounter, God assures Abraham that he will have a son through whom his descendants will become a great nation, blessed by all nations.
c. 2099 BC
The Lord appears to Abraham near Mamre
Three visitors appear to Abraham, one of whom is identified as the Lord. Abraham shows them hospitality, and they reiterate the promise of a son for Sarah.
c. 2099 BC— this verse
Divine decision to judge Sodom
The Lord reveals that the outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah is great due to their grievous sin, and declares His intention to investigate and judge them.
c. 2099 BC
Abraham intercedes for Sodom
Abraham pleads with the Lord, questioning whether the righteous will be destroyed with the wicked and bargaining for the cities' sparing if even ten righteous people are found.
c. 2099 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Following Abraham's intercession, the Lord brings judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying them for their wickedness, while Lot and his daughters are rescued.
This verse emphasizes that God will not act without revealing His plans to His prophets, paralleling His decision to inform Abraham of His impending judgment.
John 15:15Jesus calls His disciples 'friends' and states He will no longer call them servants because He has made known to them everything His Father has told Him, mirroring God's intimate sharing of His plans with Abraham.
2 Samuel 7:5God questions David, 'Will you build me a house to dwell in?', which is an affirmation that God would not allow David to build Him a house, similar to God's rhetorical question about hiding His plans from Abraham.
Exodus 33:11The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend, illustrating the close relationship God shares with those He chooses to reveal His will to, just as He did with Abraham.
calvinGenesis 18:1-33: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;"
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Et negavit Sarah, dicendo, Non risi: quia timuit. Et dixit, Nequaquam, quia risisti.
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Et surrexerunt inde viri, et respexerunt contra faciem S…
clarkeGenesis 18:17: "And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;"
Shall I hide from Abraham - That is, I will not hide. A common mode of speech in Scripture - a question asked when an affirmative is designed. Do men gather grapes of thorns? Men do not gather grapes of thorns, etc.
This question isn't a request for permission, but a rhetorical statement of intent, revealing God's deep desire to include Abraham, His friend, in His plans. It highlights that God values relationship so much He initiates sharing even severe judgments with those He's close to.
The Lord has just appeared to Abraham and promised him a son, Sarah has laughed in disbelief, and now two of the visitors are heading towards Sodom. The Lord, who has remained with Abraham, expresses a desire to inform his friend about the impending judgment on Sodom before it happens. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's passionate intercession for the wicked city, highlighting the special relationship God shares with those who fear Him.
The Lord has just appeared to Abraham and promised him a son, Sarah has laughed in disbelief, and now two of the visitors are heading towards Sodom. The Lord, who has remained with Abraham, expresses a desire to inform his friend about the impending judgment on Sodom before it happens. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's passionate intercession for the wicked city, highlighting the special relationship God shares with those who fear Him.
"The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his ch…" — This question isn't a request for permission, but a rhetorical statement of intent, revealing God's deep desire to include Abraham, His friend, in His plans. It highlights that God values relationshi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
